Murim (2)
As soon as he returned to Earth, Eshton was there waiting. He must have activated his calling device and hurried back just like Yoon-seok.
Clang! The moment Yoon-seok entered his field of vision, Eshton and the agents beside him drew their swords in unison. It was all because of Asura, who had tagged along without a care in the world.
"It's my... pet—no, my summon. No need to be on guard."
"I see. My apologies."
Eshton quickly composed himself, as if this wasn't his first encounter with such a summon, and waved the agents back. Then, as if he'd been holding back, he unleashed a barrage of questions.
"The Duel Tower has been shut down. All the challengers who were kicked out have moved to other trials. Did that happen to you too, Mr. Yoon-seok?"
"No. It was close, but I managed to catch the last train."
"The last train...?"
Yoon-seok gave a brief explanation of the phrases and the ranking system, sharing what he'd seen and felt. Fortunately, Eshton grasped the gist with just a few clarifying questions midway through.
"...To think there was another tower somewhere besides this one. We're lucky to have you, Mr. Yoon-seok. Without you, we wouldn't have even known these changes were happening."
And with that, the Yoon-seok worship began naturally, as always. At first, he'd thought it was just part of professional courtesy, but now he knew better. It was a bit burdensome. Besides, he had something to say on that note.
"Eshton, that's actually what I wanted to talk about."
Yoon-seok informed him of the dimensional population distribution—and that, aside from himself, there were five other Earth challengers who had reached the 20th floor. Eshton's reaction was immediate.
"...Five?"
He tilted his head, looking genuinely puzzled, then quickly waved his hands in denial.
"Ah, I'm not doubting the information you gave me, Mr. Yoon-seok."
"I know. No need to explain."
Yoon-seok could empathize with his feelings. Back in the day, maybe not—but these days, challengers were treated like heroes. If they wanted, they could easily gain massive wealth or equivalent power. And yet, they hadn't shown themselves?
"...I can't even guess the reason. Do you have any ideas, Mr. Yoon-seok?"
Yoon-seok pondered for a moment before replying.
"Not really. But anyone who makes it to the 20th floor is probably far from ordinary, so we might need to approach it from a different angle."
Money, fame, power—these were what normal people chased. But Yoon-seok himself had little interest in such things; he was climbing the tower for one singular ideal. Only then did Eshton's expression show a hint of understanding.
"I see. We'll need to investigate them discreetly for now, and I'll keep what you said in mind. That aside... there might even be some already registered as challengers who are hiding their floors."
At Eshton's plausible speculation, Yoon-seok shared more: among the 20th-floor Earth challengers, there was one called 'GrapeJam,' presumed to be Korean.
"A Korean... If that's true, then two out of six are from Korea. We'll keep this between me and a few others until it's confirmed."
"...?"
"The international situation is quite tense. There are surely places uneasy about power concentrating in Korea alone. No need to spark conflict over unverified info, right?"
"Understood. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"No. Please focus on your own tasks and leave the politics to me, Mr. Yoon-seok. I'll handle everything else."
Eshton's eyes gleamed with unyielding resolve as he spoke—no room for refusal. It felt like, if this were medieval times, he'd drop to one knee and shout "My liege!"
"Got it. See you in a month, then."
"In a month... you say?"
Oh, right—he hadn't mentioned that yet.
"Yes. I'll probably be in Murim until then."
Yoon-seok said it matter-of-factly, in a flat tone, as if it were no big deal. At the same moment...
"...?"
Eshton and Asura both tilted their heads in unison.
* * *
"Cheonma Cave... If such a place exists, it makes sense to visit it with the time we have left. Understood."
As Yoon-seok explained, understanding dawned in Eshton's previously doubtful eyes. He even offered to assign support teams of challengers with spare LP. It was a good sign that low-floor challengers now had the capacity to venture to other dimensions... but honestly, they'd just be a hindrance.
"Sorry, but I'll have to decline that offer."
"...Understood."
Back in the tower, Yoon-seok headed straight to the tablet and opened the shop window. Final preparations before heading to Murim.
Why am I a little nervous...?
He'd been to Sehelanbard via a trial once, but that was a tower recreation of the world from 500 years ago. This would be his first real trip to another dimension. Better to prepare everything he could, since who knew what might happen. Especially since Murim was brutal enough that even the Heavenly Demon faced a crisis there.
Purchase items have arrived.
Please check the bottom of the new items.
Yoon-seok bought three bottles of B-rank Unique Skill Potions. His holdings of around 12.47 million AP plummeted to 1.22 million... but for unique skills, not regular ones, they were worth the investment.
Gulp. Gulp.
He downed two bottles in quick succession. As always, the taste was oddly ambiguous—not exactly good, but not bad either...
Whatever. The point was what came next. Yoon-seok hurried to the tablet to check the added effects on the two new unique skills.
First, Immortality.
Immortality Rank A
Upon entering a stunned state, all regeneration increases by 150x, and the 'Forgotten Ones' attack enemies for 10 seconds.
Regeneration 150x. In other words, if a B-rank effect stunned him near death, he'd fully recover in 10 seconds.
I don't know what the 'Forgotten Ones' are... but it can't be bad.
Judging it a useful emergency ability, Yoon-seok checked the next unique skill. This one was a bit underwhelming, contrary to expectations.
Execution Rank A
Killing with a sword inflicts 'Resurrection Impossible' status, overriding powers and skills.
Resurrection impossible? He doubted he'd ever need it. But Yoon-seok decided to look on the bright side. Hadn't Salvation, tied to resurrection, come up when he chose his unique power? Among the 10,000 who reached the 20th floor—or even beyond—he might face someone with revival skills someday.
Now for the last one...
Downing the final bottle, Yoon-seok deliberated. It was time to choose between Shadowless Chant and Metallurgy.
The decision didn't take long. Upgrading Metallurgy probably wouldn't do much beyond better AP refunds anyway.
Shadowless Chant Rank A
Skill use increases mana cost 10x for 10 seconds, removing all skill cooldowns.
Was this the right call? Yoon-seok was quite satisfied with the added effect. The mana cost penalty? No big deal. Paired with Demon Transformation, mana limits were irrelevant anyway.
Closing the shop, he opened the Achievement Shop. To fulfill the prerequisites for Murim.
Register one additional dimension among Sehelanbard, Killian, Murim, or Earth.
Selectable via Return Ticket upon use.
Sale Price: 500 LP
Same cost as a trial, but once registered, permanent access via Return Tickets. Not a bad deal. Though...
No way to go to the new dimension directly?
Odd that the shop hadn't updated despite the fusion. Impossible? Or unlocked later? No time to dwell now.
A new dimension has been registered.
Return Tickets can now be used to travel to registered dimensions.
Yoon-seok spent the LP to register the dimension, then bought four E-rank one-week tickets. He could use them one by one, but better to avoid getting bounced to the waiting room mid-fight.
28 days should be just right.
Riiip.
The four tickets tore in unison.
Returning to Murim.
Not quite a return, technically... but.
Flash.
Four rays of light burst forth at once. Yoon-seok set foot for the first time in the world of martial artists he'd always wanted to visit.
Murim.
"...">
Not just Cheonma Cave. With excitement and anticipation bubbling within.
* * *
Yoon-seok opened his eyes amid the fresh scent of pine. The sound of flowing water. Birds chirping, insects buzzing. The midday sky was clear, surrounded by lush trees. No sign of people.
Right in the middle of a forest, huh.
Teeming with life, much like Earth if you ignored the lack of modern civilization. Yoon-seok scanned everything with curious eyes and began walking slowly. Direction didn't matter. Starting points in new dimensions were random anyway.
First, find people and gather info.
He knew little about Murim—no geography, barely any place names. Just that the Demonic Cult's headquarters was in the Shipman Mountain Range, from Geom-ma. But where even was that?
No rush to move fast for now.
Prioritizing adaptation to this world, Yoon-seok strolled, taking in the scenery. Then, suddenly.
Mental suppression effects are nullified due to Heart of Freedom.
Yoon-seok's eyes narrowed at the unexpected power activation message.
What the...?
No signs of life nearby. Aside from oddly shaped jade-green tombstones scattered about, nothing seemed threatening.
...Guess it's a different dimension after all.
Common sense didn't apply across worlds. Maybe these trees emitted mind-altering effects in Murim.
Makes sense why Murim natives have such strong mental fortitude if they're used to this.
Embracing the hypothesis, Yoon-seok heightened his vigilance and resumed walking. How much time passed? At the edge of his senses, he detected presences.
Found some sooner than expected.
Speeding up, he reached the forest's edge where trees thinned. About a hundred swordsmen in blue robes were positioned there, swords drawn. They seemed to be waiting for someone...
...Perfect timing.
Yoon-seok raised both arms to signal no hostility and approached for conversation. But...
"Halt!"
For some reason, the swordsmen's flickering eyes filled with even stronger killing intent.
Yoon-seok scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and called out.
"No need to be on guard. I don't know who you're waiting for, but I'm just passing by coincidentally..."
"Shut your mouth! Mask!"
As if the awaited one were their mortal enemy? The apparent leader cut him off, radiating massive hostility.
"You breach the Changcheon Great Barrier and infiltrate the manor, then claim coincidence? Don't toy with us—reveal your identity!"
"...?"
Yoon-seok's eyes widened. Changcheon Great Barrier? No idea what that was, but...
There definitely hadn't been anything like that in the forest.